WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? NEW EP IS QUINTESSENTIALLY ALEX SPENCER

EP REVIEW | ALEX SPENCER – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? by Isobel O’Mahony

Mancunian wunderkind Alex Spencer returns from his Spring UK Tour with new EP Where Do We Go From Here? Spencer’s ear for production is brilliant for so early in his career and this collection of five indie/pop tunes shows the potential of how far he can go.

Opening track “Clouded Thinking” is a simply well done, strong performance. The production on this EP from previous releases like “Nightmares”, as great a song as it is, has really been elevated. Spencer’s vocals blend seamlessly into nice drums, and I think the rockier sound is something for him to play around with.

Title track “Where Do We Go From Here?” follows which I think is the highlight of the collection. The construction of the tune, including a distortion of the vocals, creates a tunnel or maze like-effect which really rounds out the themes presented in the lyrics.“Are we just skin and bone?/ Is life a bigger picture” are direct examples of the deep feelings scattered throughout the EP.

As well as meaningful sentiments, this song has a brilliant bass line and even some Spanish towards the end, something unexpected to blossom in the UK indie scene. Speaking to Northern Exposure in March Alex said: “I think to be successful in any industry, you’ve gotta be doing something different that no one’s doing. In this indie, pop, rock scene in the UK at the minute, I don’t feel there’s many people doing that.”

“Pessimistic Nobody” is a bit of a u-turn for Spencer’s usually upbeat sound as a slower, more melancholic track. It explores the themes of youth and feeling lost head on and rather than seeing it through a positive lens like the rest of the EP, deals with it in a harsher but rawway. It’s interesting to uncover this range from Alex and his vocals alongside pretty strings makes for one of the strongest tracks.

Last tracks “Bucket List” and “Wake Me Up” are what I personally hear when I think of Alex Spencer’s sound. They’re upbeat and fun with high energy that you can imagine are great to hear live. This positive vibe if you will is a reflection of the current indie scene but in a way that is quintessentially Spencer’s own.

Where Do We Go From Here? is a healthy dose of thoughtful indie pop. Through its five tracks, it reflects the naivety of youth and curiosity, and the fear at what you might find if you follow those curious instincts. However, there’s a sense of maturity seen through the lyrics, with Spencer understanding those negative feelings and approaching them in greater ways in order to grow. There’s good guitar, with Spencer’s best production yet, and I’d love to see a more musically heavy sound with expanded bridges to take the indie-rock to the max. On first song “Clouded Thinking” Alex told us he’s “just getting started” and for that, this EP is a strong hit.

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Isobel O'Mahony

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